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Organisers of Wimmera Music Eisteddfod, due to start tomorrow, have cancelled the event and moved it online.

Committee member Venetia Elbourne-Hobbs said the continuation of a statewide COVID-19 lockdown meant the event could no longer continue ‘in any form’ this weekend. 

The Wimmera Music Eisteddfod was due to kick off its jam packed program on Thursday morning.
With the lockdown continuing beyond the original five days, the organising committee had no choice but to cancel the event for 2021.
“We are obviously extremely disappointed with the outcome. Our ideal would have been to reschedule the event, but due to the logistical challenges of re-booking our adjudicator, accompanist and the venue, it just wasn’t possible”.

“The committee have worked tirelessly to put together an event that would have been our biggest and most supported Eisteddfod yet,” she said.
"The many unknowns surrounding the restrictions coming out of lockdown have made it difficult for performance events to plan ahead. Rather than risk the event being cancelled again or having no audience, the Wimmera Music Eisteddfod Committee has opted for a scaled down online event instead."
“We are planning to hold an Eisteddfod Showcase on Sunday the 8 th of August for any competitors
who wish to be involved. This will essentially be an online concert which will be available to view by competitors and their families. While this isn’t the ideal, it’s something that we can do in lockdown to give competitors the chance to perform what they’ve been working on.”

Prior to the cancellation, Mrs Elbourne-Hobbs said entries for this year’s eisteddfod included more than 30 individual adult vocal competitors across eight sections. 

She said the number was even higher if you included open ensembles and choir group sections.

“We often think of an eisteddfod as a place of learning and encouragement for young people, which it definitely is, but it’s also great to see so many adults competing and honing their skills,” she said.

“The vocal sections have always been our strength and I think having someone like Dr Ian Nisbett adjudicating has encouraged the involvement of vocalists even more. 

“Ian is a vocal coach with a PhD in musical theatre, a bachelor’s degree in drama, an AMusA in flute performance and a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education.”

Among new vocal sections to be included this year is a monologue for two age groups. 

This is a four-minute spoken drama solo designed to capture a different aspect of performance.

“It’s worked out really well, that the year we introduce the monologue section we have an adjudicator with a proven strength in this area,” Mrs Elbourne-Hobbs said.

“This is a real bonus for any students interested in pursuing a career in the performing arts, as Ian will be able to provide invaluable feedback through the critique process.”

People can visit www.wimmeraeisteddfod.com or www.facebook.com/wimmeraeisteddfod for updates about this year’s event.